Vehicle body support



Oct. 21, 1952 D.-HOLME$ ETAL VEHICLE BODY SUPPORT Filed March 51, 19 50 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Louis D. Holme William J. Houksmo 8 Robert 8. Hammond o 1952 L. D. HOLMES ETAL 2,614,504

VEHICLE BODY SUPPORT Filed March 31, 1950 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Louis D. Holmes, Wi|lic|m J. Houksmu 3 8 Robert 8. Hammond ATTORN L. b. HOLMES ETAL VEHICLE BODY SUPPORT Oct. 2 l 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March '51, 1950 6 0 a 5 2 9 m 4 4 Hm |v\ .H 0. 4 I E J 7 ymb 7 5. 1 lh b NUU M I I 5 I O .I w 3 m 3 1 3 W W 6 9 w O 6 F 4 9 4 n v 2 w 5 a will. 9, 5 4 l G F G Robert 5. Hammond o 1952 k D. HOLMES ETAL 2,614,504

VEHICLE BODY SUPPORT Filed March 31, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ss HMIH",

{WW II INVENTORS F|G'5 Louis D. Holmes 7 William J. Houksmd e. Robert 8. Hammond Oct. 21, 1952 D, HOLMES ET AL 2,614,504

fin: III 'lllllln Y W i u" 4:1,?

Patented Oct. 2i, 1952 VEHICLE BODY SUPPORT Louis D. Holmes, Blue Island, William J. Haaksma, Harvey, and Robert S. Hammond, Winnetka, Ill., assignors to Whiting Corporation, a

corporation of Illinois Application March 31, 1950, Serial No. 153,202

Our invention refers to apparatus for supporting railway vehicles and the like in elevated position, and is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with drop table installations. I

To properly service or repair the running gear of railway vehicles, as by the replacement oftruck or axle assemblies, the body of the vehicle must be supported in such manner as to permit lowering of the truck or axle a distance sufiicient to effect disengagement. One of the most efficient and widely employed means for performing this operation is to position the, vehicle truck ona top spanning a transversely extending pit. The vehicle body is then elevated a short distance and engaged by body supports, after which a drop table operating in the pit lowers the top and truck and moves to a release track, where the truck is removed from the top for repair.

Considerable difficultyhas been encountered in properly supporting the vehicle body during such operations, since the height of the vehicle floor level, the body width, and the position of jacking pads on the vehicle body varies considerably from vehicle to vehicle. The various expedients heretofore utilized to cope with these variations, such asthe use of blocks or special adapters, have not been considered satisfactory, since considerable labor is frequently involved in their use, and in some instances the stability of the supported 'vehicle body is questionable.

One of the principal objects of this invention is I to provide a body support for vehicles and the like, which is particularly well-adapted for use in conjunction with drop table installations.

Other important objects include the provision of such a body support, which utilizes transverse girders disposed nearshop floor level, which is highly stable, easily moved and adjusted, simply constructed, which incorporates means for correcting errors in the alignment of guides and moving portions, and which may in modified form be employed for elevating the vehicle body.

Further objects, as well as many of the outstanding advantages of ourinvention, will be disclosed in the following description and in the I appended drawings, in which:

v 12 Claims. (Cl. 104-32) Fig. 5 is a partially broken away front elevation of the pillar;

Fig. 6 is a partialhorizontal cross sectionof the block guide assembly within the pillar;

Fig. '7 is a side view of a stabilizing hook; and

Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 88 of Fig. 7. I,

In brief, our body support in its preferred form utilizes a pair of box girders'disposed in parallel relationship on either side of a vehicle track and at or near shop floor level. A flange extends along the upper and outer'edge of each of the girders. Movable pillars slide along rails formed on the top of the girders and are provided with stabilizing hooks which extend downwardly and inwardly from the pillar to a. point immediately beneath the girder flange in such manner as to towards the vehicle.

resist any tendency for thepillar to tip inwardly Ordinarily, the drop table, in connection with which this device is utilized, is used to perform whatever lifting function is required; but if such device is not available, or if desired for other reasons, the jack or block-moving devicewithin Fig. 4 is a partial end elevation of a sliding block operating within the pillar;

the pillar may be motorized and of such capacity as to perform a vehicle lifting operation. Thus, it may be seen that the point at whichthe body support engages thevehicle body can be varied at will within the capacity of the apparatus by horizontal movement of the pillar, vertical movement of the block, or lateral movement of the support arm. Stability is insured by the stabilizing hook, and by the unique wheel suspension.

applied in supporting the movable pillar on rail wheels. Since the girders are mounted near. shop floor level, and usually extend across the drop table pit, the drop table tops may be locked directly into the girders, rather than into openings formed in the pit wall or in the shop floor." In addition, the supportgirder may in part serve as a structural member of thebuilding by supporting a floor between adjacent body supportinstallations.

In'Fig. 1, we have illustrated diagrammatically the arrangement for a body support device as applied to a typical drop table installation. Such devices are ordinarily employed in a railway :re-

Within the girder is a pair shop building having a shop floor I beneath which a drop table pit II extends. Extending across the pit II near shop floor level are tops I2, which bridge the pit and permit the'passage of a vehicle on rail sections I3 mounted on the top I2. Box girders I4, or the like, extend across the pit II parallel to each other and on either side of the top I2, providing at least partial support for sections of the shop floor I6, which extend over the pit II between the body support girders I4. The tops I2 are releasablysupported at shop floor level by retractable locking arms 25, which preferably extend laterally from the tops I2 into engagement with the girders l4.

As best shown in Fig. 2, each of the girders I4 preferably includes a top member I6, which extends outwardly beyond the sides of the girders I4, defining a flange I1. If desired, a rail i8 maybe secured, as by welding, to the lower surface of the flange along the outer side of the girder I4. Preferably, although not necessarily, the top member I6 extends inwardly a slight distance beyond the inner side of the girder I4 forming a flange I5.

Parallel rails I9, mounted on the upper surface of the top member I6, support a pillar, generally designated 2|, having four wheels 22. The pillar 2I includes an upwardly extending hollow housing 23 of generally rectangular horizontal cross section.

As shown in Fig. 5, four ears 24 extend outwardly on opposite sides of the housing 23 in alignment with the rails I9, and are bored to receive pivot pins 26, which engage and pivotally support triangular members 21. The wheels 22 are journaled to the lower outer ends of the members 21 and are flanged to prevent derailment of the wheels 22. The members 21 supporting the wheels 22 running along the rail nearest the flange I! may be fixed to the housing 23, thus rigidly supporting the outer portion of the pilllar. The members 21 supporting the inner set of wheels 22 are, however, provided with brackets 28, which receive a horizontal rod 29, the outer ends of which are threaded. A spring 3| is interposed between one of the brackets 28 and an end nut 32 in such manner as to normally urge the lower inner corners of the members towards each other, thereby supporting the inner portion of the pillar out of engagement with the rail I9. The strength of the spring 3I is selected, however, to yield under the pressure of a load applied to the pillar sufiiciently to bring a plate 33 secured across the bottom of the housing 23 into contact with the inner rail I9.

A pair of ears 34, extending laterally from the outer side of the housing 23 near the base, pivotally engage ears 36 formed on stabilizinghooks 31. The hooks 31 extend downwardly to a point below the rail I9 and inwardly, forming a lip 38 immediately below the rail I3 in such manner. as to engage the rail I8 when the pillar 2I tips inwardly. An adjusting screw 39 may extend through a threaded opening formed in the upper portion of the hook into engagement with the housing 23.

Fixed stabilizinghooks may be fixed to the inner face of the housing and extend downwardlyand inwardly for engagement with the flange I5 when the pillar 2| tips outwardly.

Heavy, generally horizontal stub-pins 4|, held in place by suitablekeepers .42, extend inwardly from opposite ends of the housing 23 and pivotally support a guide assembly, generally designated 43. The-guide assemblymayrbe formediof-a 4 pair of parallel opposed channel members 44 having inwardly extending parallel guides 46 welded to their faces. The lower extremities of the channels 44 and. guides 46 are connected by a heavy horizontal plate 47 having a centrally disposed opening 48, which rotatably receives and supports an upright screw 49. Cross supports 5i extend downwardly from the plate 41 and rest upon L-shaped members 52 held in position on the inner surface of the housing 23 by a plurality of bolts 53. A lip 54 formed on the member 52, which is adjustable as to position, prevents rotation of the guide assembly 43 about its pivot point 4| in a clockwise direction by engagement with one of the members 5|. Adjusting bolts 56 extend inwardly from the inner face of the housing 23 into engagement with the plate 41 and are utilized in conjunction with the member 52 to obtain satisfactory vertical alignment of the guide assembly 43. The screw 49 is journaled in the plate 4'! and projects downwardly-into the space between the members 5 I, where it is secured to a bevel gear 51, or the like. A pinion 58 meshes with the gear 5'! and is secured to a pinion shaft 59, which projects. outwardly through the housing 23 to a crank (H, or the like. Obviously, a worm and worm Wheel may be substituted for the gear 51 and pinion 58, if desired, and may be driven by a suitable motor, rather than by a crank or hand wheel BI.

A block, generally designated 62, is formed with upper and lower flanges 63 suitably grooved for sliding engagement with the guides 46 in the guide assembly 43. The block 62 defines a transverse opening, which slidably receives a body support arm 64, suitably in the shape of. an I- beam. The lower flange 63 of the block 62 is disposed considerably below the lower face of the I-beam 64, which rests upon an intermediate support member 66. Lower flange 63 is threaded to receive the screw 49. The body support arm 64 is provided on its lower surface with a rack 61, which fits into a horizontal groove formed in the intermediatemember 66. Upon the rear face of the block 32. are brackets 68, which rotatably support a shaft 69 having an external handle 10. A gear 'II is secured to the shaft 69 and engages the rack. 61, thus providing means for moving the support arm 64 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the block .62. The shaft 69 extends outwardly through the housing 23, a slot I2 being formed therein to permit the vertical movement of the block 62.

In operation, the vehicle to be serviced is moved along the shop railsuntil the desired truck is supported by the rail sections I3 on the top I2.

Usually,.a drop table ismoved into position'be- .neath the top I2 at this. point, and the table -moved upwardly into supporting engagement beneath the jacking pads, and the block 62 moved upwardly, bringing the arms64 into engagement with the pads.

This having been accomplished, the .top I2 may be lowered, allowing the arms 64 to support the vehicle body. The strain absorbed by the arm 64 is transmitted through the b'lockhand. guide M: tassemblytowthe housing-and to the wheels 22 Spring 3!; being unable toflre'sist thisiforce, permits 'the. members 2]- on :the inner edge of the girder Mxto move outwardly, thus bringing the v plate"33.;o-n the bottom ofthe housing into engagement with the r-ail ld. movement'also brings the lips 380i the stabilizing hooksfllinto engagement with the rail [8. The

' actual. angular tiltingmovement ofipillar'is very slight and is normally considered in the design of the'pillaril and position: of the arm 64 in the blecle62u Usually the arm 6 3 isnot truly horizontal when unloaded, :but movesxdownwardly This slight. tipping way vehicle and the like comprisingl a pair. of parallel'girdersi disposed onxoppositersides of'a vehicle passageway, each of said girders havinga longitudinally extending restraining flange formed outwardly. from the. center or the girder, an upwardly extending pillarmounted on each of said girders for slidingalong movement there'- on, each of said pillars including a block slidably engaging thepillar for movement ;upwardlyand downwardly, a jack for moving said block, abody' support arm carried by the block for horizontal inward movement towards a vehicle body, a sta- .-under.-the influence of; the load to a truly'hori- .zontalposition. With the body so supported, the ,drop tablemay safely lower the: top 12 for movement to the releaseftrack, where the truck is discharged rorser'viceii Installation of a truck or axle assembly is accomplished byreverse operation.

IIWIn some instanceaas forexample where the I bilizing hook fastened-to the pillar and extending downwardly to a point immediately below the restraining flange. I

4. Apparatus for supporting the body of a railway vehicle and the like comprising a pair of parallel-girders disposed on opposite sides of a vehicle passagewayeach of said girders having aflongitudinally extending restraining flange .,,formed outwardly from the center of the girder,

capacity of the drop table is insufficient to prop- 'erly elevate the vehicle,*'the pillars may be employedas jacks. In suchinstances screw 48 is 'f-usually connected by-suitable gear train to a motor. It shouldl-not be understood that the screws!) is essential, since other forms of jacking arrangements or lifting devices may be employed,

as for example, opposed wedges, scissors jacks,

hydraulic jacks, and thelike, but in mostin-- stances the screw type will be found-to be the most-satisfactory." l The foregoing detailed rated without major change or revision, we do not bind ourselves to the hereinbeforedescribed structure, except insofar as defined inthe' ap-' pended claims;

' We CIaim: h

'1. "Apparatus i or supporting a railway vehicle body and the like comprising an elongated girder adapted for mounting near a shop floorparallel to a, vehicle passageway and having a straight generally horizontal surface, an upwardly ex-' tending pillar slidably engaging. said upper surdescription has" been i I made in compliance with R. S. 4888, but'since many modifications can obviously be incorpoan upwardly extending pillar mounted on each of said girders for sliding along movement thereon, 'each "of said pillars including a block slidably engagingthe pillar for movement upwardly and downwardly, a: jack screw supported by the pillar and engaging the block for forcing said block upwardly and downwardly, meansior retaining said block in a selected position on the pillar, a body support arm carried by the block for horizontal inward movement towards a vehicle 'body,"and a stabilizing hook fastenedto the pillar and extending downwardly to apoint immediately be lowthe restraining flange.

Y gated" girder adapted for mounting near shop floor level'parallel to a vehicle passageway, said girder having an outer edge flange, an upwardly extendingpillar, arms pivotallysecured to the pillar-randextending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, wheels journaled on each of said arms for longitudinal movement along the girder, re-

' silient means forurging the lower ends of the face for movement along the girder, a blockslida ably engaging the, pillar for generally vertical movement, a body support. arm carried. by the block andmounted for movement inwardly to- .w ardshthe vehicle, means for, holding the block at a selected elevation on the pillar, and 'a stabilizing hook securedat one end to the pillarand having its opposite end disposed for engagement with a'substantially horizontal surface on the girder outwardly from the center line thereof. 2. Apparatus-for supporting the body of a railway'vehicle and the like comprisinga pair of parallel girders disposed on opposite sides of a vehicle passageway, each of said girders havinga longitudinally extending restraining flange formed outwardly from the center of the girder, an upwardly extending pillar mounted on each 1 of said girders for sliding along movement thereon, each of said pillars including'a block. slidably engaging the pillar for movement upwardly and downwardly, means for retaining said blockin a selectedposition on the pillar, a body support arm carried by the block for horizontal inward movement towards a vehicle body, a stabilizing hook fastened to the pillar and extending downwardly to a point immediately below the restraining flange. 3. Apparatus for supporting the body of a railarms towards the pillar, a block slidably en'- gaging guides on the pillar for general vertical movement, agenerally horizontal body support arm slidably supported by the block and-movable inwardly beyond the inner edge of the girder for engagement with the vehicle body,

mechanical means fixed with respect to the pillar for forcing the block upwardly, and a member secured to the pillar, a portion of said member being disposedior engagement with the flange on said girder when a load is applied to the said support 'arm inwardly from the pillar.

6. Apparatus for supporting the body of a railway vehicle and the like comprising an elongated girder.adapted for mounting near shopfioor level parallel to a vehicle passageway, said girder having an outer edge flange and an upwardly extending pillar, means for supporting thepillar for sliding movement along the girder, said means including spaced wheels movable along the inner and outer portions of the girder, and resilient means between the inner set of wheels and the pillar of sufiicient strength to r'naintainthe pillar out of contact with the gird- 7 er only in the absence of a load on the pillar, a

block slidably engaging guides on the pillar for generally vertical movement, a generally horizontal body support arm slidably supported by I the block and movable inwardly beyond the inher edge of the girder for engagement with the vehicle body, mechanical means fixed with re:

I df epparatusfor supporting the body of a railway vehicle and the likecomprising an elonfor movement about a generally horizontal axis,

movable means carried by the pillar engaging the lower end of. the guide, a block movable along said guide, means carried by the pillar for moving the block, and a load support arm projecting laterally from the block. I

8. A load-supporting device comprising an upright hollow pillar, spaced upright guide members in the pillar, means near. the upper extremity of the pillar for pivotally supporting the upper ends of the guide members, guide support members removably secured to the pillar for engaging the lower portions of the guides, a generally horizontal plate fixed with respect to the guides, an upright jack screw journaled in the plate, a block slidably engaging'the guides and the jack screw, a generally horizontal load support arm carried by the block, and means for rotating the screw.

9. Apparatus for servicing the running gear of railway vehicles and the like for use in an area having a track intersected by a transverse pit, comprising a pair of spaced parallel girders spanning the pit at approximately shop floor level, a top between the girders spanning the pit, means for releasably securing the top tothe girders, a drop table in the pit for raising and lowering the top, andan upwardly extending pillar slidably supported on each of the girders, each of the pillars including a block slidably supported by the pillar for generally vertical'movement, a support arm carried by each block and movable inwardly for engagement with the body of a Vehicle disposed on the top, and a stabilizer secured to the pillar and disposed for engagement with an outer portion of the girder upon application of a load to the support arm inwardly from the girder.

10. Apparatus for servicing the running gear of railway vehicles and the like comprising a girder adapted to be disposed approximately at shop floor level parallel to a vehicle body, an upwardly extending pillar slidable longitudinally along the girder, a block slidably engaging the girder for vertical movement, a generally horizontal body support. arm projecting laterally from theblock for engagement with the vehicle body, a jack. carriedby thepillar and engaging said. bloclgmeans for actuatingthe jack, and a stabilizer member secured at 'oneend to the pillar and having. its other end disposed for engagement with alower surface of the. girder upon application of a load to the support arm inwardly from the girder.

11. Apparatus for servicing the running gear of railway vehicles and the like comprising a pair of parallel ridged support girders for mounting parallel. to a vehicle track andon. opposite sides thereof and anrupright pillar slideably supported on each of the girders for horizontal movement thereon, each of the pillars having: a block slideably mounted thereon for generally vertical movement, means for retaining the block in a. selected position on the, pillar, and a gen- I erally horizontal inwardly extending body; support arm slideably carried by each of the blocks for engagement with opposite sides of a vehicle body;

12. Apparatus for servicing the running gear of railway vehicles. and the like comprising a pair of parallel ridged horizontal support girders for mounting on opposite sides of a vehicle track and an upright pillar on each of the girders, each pillar having wheels supporting the pillar for sliding movement along the girder, at least one of the wheels having resilient mounting means urging the pillar away from the girder. each of the pillars also having a block mounted thereon for generally vertical sliding movement, a generally horizontal inwardly extending vehicle support arm slidably engaging the block and a ridged stabilizer member coupling the pillar to the girder when an inwardly overturning load is applied to the support arm.

LOUIS D. HOLMES. WILLIAM J. I-IAAKSMA. ROBERT S. HAMNIOND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file 'of'this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

